Essex County NJ Criminal Defense Lawyer
An attorney at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall represented a client in South Orange Municipal Court who was charged with possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia. These are two (2) disorderly persons offenses which include up to six (6) months in the county jail on each charge and a permanent criminal record if convicted. There is also a mandatory six (6) month driver's license suspension if convicted of these charges (unless a successful hardship application is made).
The South Orange Municipal Court is currently having their court sessions at the Maplewood Municipal Court located at 1618 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey. The defendant was a Seton Hall University student who allegedly had marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his dorm room at school. After reviewing the discovery in the case and the police reports associated with same, it became clear that another co-defendant was the individual who was actually in possession of the marijuana and drug paraphernalia. After conferencing the case with the municipal prosecutor, the co-defendant agreed to take responsibility for the marijuana and enter the conditional discharge program. My client was exonerated and all charges were dismissed against him. This allowed the defendant to avoid any criminal record and protect his future.
